Description
This hearty and flavorful Mexican Rice Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, black beans, corn, and rice simmered in a rich sauce made from salsa and tomato sauce, then topped with melted Colby Jack cheese. Perfect for a comforting family meal, it’s garnished with fresh cilantro and customizable taco toppings to add a fresh, zesty finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef (at least 85/15 lean)
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Canned Goods
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
Liquids and Grains
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
Dairy and Garnishes
- 2 cups freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
- Fresh chopped cilantro, for serving
- Your favorite taco toppings
Instructions
- Brown Beef and Vegetables: In a large skillet with deep sides, brown the ground beef together with diced green bell pepper and onion over medium heat. Once cooked through, drain any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming oily.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef mixture and mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices.
- Combine Beans, Corn, and Liquids: Pour in the black beans, drained corn, beef broth, salsa, and tomato sauce. Stir well and bring the entire mixture to a boil on medium-high heat.
- Simmer with Rice: Stir in the long-grain white rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently for 25-30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan and ensure it cooks evenly until tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Incorporate Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese, mixing it into the hot casserole until melted. Then sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top.
- Allow Cheese to Melt: Cover the skillet again and let the residual heat melt the top layer of cheese. This usually takes a few minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the casserole and serve it alongside your preferred taco toppings for added flavor and texture. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and keep the dish healthy.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent rice from sticking to the pan bottom.
- Customize the toppings with sour cream, avocado, jalapeños, or chopped tomatoes for variety.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute meat with plant-based ground crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
